Measurement-based Care as a Practice Improvement Tool: Clinical and Organizational Applications in Youth Mental Health

ABSTRACT

Measurement-based care (MBC) is a systematic, ongoing assessment to monitor treatment progress and inform clinical decision-making. MBC is considered an evidence-based practice, with extensive research support in adult clinical populations and emerging evidence in youth populations. This paper describes both clinical (e.g., enhancing therapy alliance, informing case conceptualization) and organizational (e.g., informing quality improvement efforts) applications of MBC, and illustrates the clinical applications through two case examples from publicly funded mental health agency settings. The paper concludes by detailing future research needed to enhance the clinical and organizational utility of MBC.

KEYWORDS:

• Measurement-based care
• routine outcome monitoring
• clinical decision-making
• case conceptualization
• youth mental health care

Disclosure statement

Vanderbilt University and Susan Douglas receive compensation related to the Peabody Treatment Progress Battery; and Susan Douglas has a financial relationship with Mirah. There is a management plan in place to ensure that this conflict does not jeopardize the objectivity of Dr. Douglas’ research

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health [R01 MH106536, R34 MH118316].